Suggestions in my book?

[big drift]

I am attempting to write a series of books on minnesota waterfowling. Specifically Goose, Duck, and short stories from back when to now.

What do you look for in reading subjects ya may want addressed, anything. And I think this is an ok thing to ask here.

I am looking at the basics guns, gear, decoys, dogs, recipes

placement, blinds. Any suggestions throw it there. Later

big drift

[Eric Wettschreck]

Big Drift, I want copies when you're done.

You asked, so here ya go.

#1 Don't write a book similar to the shows I see on TV. Guys looking like they just walked out of a Cabelas catalog. They have the newest shotgun on the market, latest greatest remote control decoys, 90 dozen mallard magnums, etc. I hope you understand what I'm talking about. Write about us good ole boys using the shotgun our dad gave us 25 years ago. We have no money for fancy clothes so we took an old brown jacket and spray painted it for camo. A dozen or 2 old beat up decoys. You know the deal.

#2 Kids. Please don't forget things about the kids. My best hunting memories will be with my kids. Hopefully, they will take their kids when they make em, and so on, and so on.

[Guest]

How about the decline of habitat over the last 20 years.

[fishingmike0770]

More about hunting and less about killing.

What boilerguy said too. My dad was in the army for about 7 years so you know what our camo selection looks like. Its nice to see what "top of the line" is but it would be nice to see some short-cuts or what you can make work to save some money.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Hey fishingmike, notice a little Shad-Rap in your signature.

If I gotta eat cripes I gotta catch dinner, put my line in da hole wit a minnow and a spinner!!!!

[fishingmike0770]

Shad-Rap is where its at. Love listening to that cd on the way to the deer shack or up to the lake. Doesnt get much funnier then that!

[Guest]

May be kind of tough info to track down but I enjoy the history and various stories from the past. I have read little about old MN Duck clubs other than some from the southern part of the state.

[big drift]

I really like your suggestions and so far they are in. Keep em comin.

big drift

[mwktrapper]

I like bemduckboy's suggestion. There were some old duck camps up this way. Would be neat to hear their history.

[cyberamish]

How about something regarding the growth of lease areas and pay to hunt areas. How have they affected the demographic of waterfowlers?

Also I have heard stories over the years about some of the market hunting that took place in the Duluth area and/or Lake of the Woods area. Not a glamorous subject but important for folks to know about.

A look at how man's manipulation of the river systems has permanently changed the migration patterns as they relate to Minnesota.

[Sartell Angler]

there is some rich waterfowling tradition on the Mississippi River, especially around the LaCross/LaCrescent areas...good topic for a book might be to focus on hunting the mighty miss...

the duck camp idea is a good one, but you might struggle to find enough information. would certainly be interesting to read though if you ended up getting enough stories for a book. I am part of a club that began in 1972...Belgrade area. Know that there are plenty of stories for a book just from our group!

SA/wdw

[J. Browne]

I, dont care for reading other peoples highlight hunt, as far as the ducks comming in just perfect. I like to hear about how it came to be prior to shooting hours...if the motor wouldnt start, how you set your decoys, decoys you used.

[koWALLEYEski]

Shad Rapp is where its at!!!! Heres one of my favs!!!

"Some call it a water wolf, some call it a snake, you can find them in the rivers, you can catch them in the lake, if you ever grab a hold of one your hands are gonna smell, ya careful where you hold them their ferocious as hell, they got a mouth like a gator, and a body like a hog, they'll bend your rod over like your snagged on a log! CACTH A PIKKKKE"

For the book, there is a hunting club on North Ten Mile Lake. It is one of the best hunting locations I have ever seen.

[Duck-o-holic]

I think a "Then and Now" chapter would be great. I'm into reading about "Old School" tricks and tactics, as well as cutting edge tactics from the big name callers and guides. Plenty of old school pics of blinds, boats, gear, and dekes would add to the chapter. I'm especially interested in reading about how the pro's tweak their spreads, gear, and tactics to hunt heavily gunned and pressured birds.